Chapter One

Eight years on, Freja had grown into a beautiful young lady. Her long, silver hair glinted like a fire opal and flowed like a waterfall down to the bottom of her back, just like her mother’s had. She had  her father’s high, sharp cheek bones just below her large almond shaped eyes that were emerald green. Her skin looked like porcelain; creamy, delicate and fragile. Freja’s lips were full and pink, and her body was the envy of every woman and the fantasy of every man. However, Freja did not care about her looks, she didn’t care who was looking and she never heard the comments. All Freja cared about was the truth of her parents. Why was no one ever caught? Why did no one know anything? Or even care? It seemed that the only person who cared what had happened that horrifying evening was Freya.

Tonight, she thought she was close, she thought she had finally found a trail that would lead her to uncover the truth. But once more it was a dead end. She felt like a failure. She had almost used up her grandparent’s money and was close to losing her waitressing job at the restaurant. She had no one to talk to. Her Nana and Grandpa had died over the eight years. First, her grandpa had died from a brain tumour and then her Nana had passed a few years later. The doctors had said it was a broken heart from losing her husband. It was like her body had given up. Freja did not believe this was the reason. How could her Nana have a broken heart over such a monster? And how could she leave Freja alone? Freja still needed her. She needed her to tell her what she knew about that night and why Abraham had gone from a loving husband and father to an inhuman, barbaric stranger.

Tiberius had been put down last year. His arthritis was just too painful and it would have been cruel to keep him alive just for Freja not to lose another person in her life. Yes, a person, she didn’t see him as an animal. She saw him as a friend, family, a conscious person. He had been her soul mate, and it had been heartbreaking to make the decision. She missed him every day.

When Freja was little she was a playful and caring girl. She adored everyone and everything. She only ever saw the beauty in people, animals and plants. She cherished every moment, especially when outside. She loved to be outdoors, running around getting muddy. She liked going on adventures with Tiberius and her friends. She had so many friends because everyone was attracted to her carefree and loving nature. She was always available to help her friends. Even after her parents had died she was still happy. She always wanted to make the most of a bad situation. But as she got older and she started to notice and realise what had happened that night, and the way her Grandpa had treated her Nana. She noticed the news channels and papers were full of hideous stories of the crime and evil people. She started to notice the bullies at school and on the streets. Some of her friends had become nasty and cruel, preying on the less fortunate. This began to dampen her soul and her heart was turning dark. She was no longer the bright light of happiness she used to be. Her friends that had stuck by her were worried, they wanted to help and she allowed them to for a while and she tried to help herself. 

After her conversation with her Nana when she was thirteen, her obsession began. She had to know. As school was finishing, Freja’s friends were getting ready for college and she knew there was no point in staying friends. She would never see them and they would just get in her way.

Freja had lost her friends due to her obsession that just kept growing. She pushed everyone away so that they would not become a distraction. But what Freja didn’t know was that there was one friend who was always there. Keeping a close watch on her without Freja ever knowing. They couldn’t allow Freja to leave their life completely. Because they knew something that Freja would soon be ready to know.